Ensuring confidence in radionuclide-based sediment chronologies and bioturbation rates

Sedimentary records of naturally occurring and fallout-derived radionuclides are widely used as tools for estimating both the ages of recent sediments and rates of sedimentation and bioturbation. Developing these records to the point of data interpretation requires careful sample collection, processing, analysis and data modeling. In this work, we document a number of potential pitfalls that can impact sediment core records and their interpretation. This paper is not intended as an exhaustive treatment of these potential problems. Rather, the emphasis is on potential problems that are not well documented in the literature, as follows: (1) the mere sampling of sediment cores at a resolution that is too coarse can result in an apparent diffusive mixing of the sedimentary record at rates comparable to diffusive bioturbation rates observed in many locations; (2) ²¹⁰Pb profiles in slowly accumulating sediments can easily be misinterpreted to be driven by sedimentation, when in fact bioturbation is the dominant control. Multiple isotopes of different half lives and/or origin may help to distinguish between these two possible interpretations; (3) apparent mixing can occur due simply to numerical artifacts inherent in the finite difference approximations of the advection diffusion equation used to model sedimentation and bioturbation. Model users need to be aware of this potential problem. Solutions to each of these potential pitfalls are offered to ensure the best possible sediment age estimates and/or sedimentation and bioturbation rates can be obtained.     

东营城区高精度三维地震采集方法研究

根据东营城区内建筑物较多，环境干扰较大，地下构造复杂，断裂非常发育，目的层埋藏深，资料信噪比较低的特点，以地震老资料和钻井资料为基础，建立地震地质模型，利用射线追踪技术选取合适的观测系统参数。充分利用卫星数字地图，没计了灵活多变的观测系统，采用可控震源与炸药震源配合使用方法，及时对城区内地下面元的覆盖次数、方位角和炮检距的分布进行质量监控，利用现场处理系统对资料进行及时分析，提高了地震资料品质。所获得的东营城区高精度三维地震采集资料显示，其浅中层分辨率和中深层信噪比都有了明显改善，取得了良好的地质效果。     

桶形基础平台三维有限元稳定性分析

以我国第一座桶形基础采油平台工程实例为原型，采用三维有限元计算方法对桶形基础稳定性分析。平台在波浪、风等荷载作用下，其稳定性不仅与平台的整体结构有关，而且与桶形基础及其周围土体相互作用相关。在计算中，利用薄层摩擦单元模拟土与结构间的相互作用，取得了很好的效果。分析结果表明桶形基础采油平台在设计条件下运行是较为稳定的。     

渤海夏季底层环流的观测与模拟

通过分析用人工水母在渤海夏季进行的首次底层环流的 L agrange观测 ,发现在渤海底层 Lagrange余流只有几 cm/s,在海峡处基本是北进南出的情况 ,在辽东湾有 1个逆时针的环流 ,在渤海湾有 1个顺时针的环流。但是进一步分析发现 ,底层人工水母的运移 (代表了物质输运 )并不完全反映环流的方向 ,在有些站位甚至出现相反的趋势。通过数值模拟知道瞬时的扩散及沉降等过程是产生这种结果的原因 ,而根源在于环流场的不均匀性。     

The morphodynamic modelling of tidal sand waves on the shoreface

An artificial sand wave on the Dutch shoreface of the North Sea has been studied in conditions with relatively strong tidal currents in the range of 0.5 to 1 m/s and sediments in the medium sand size range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm. The sand wave is perpendicular to the tidal current and has a maximum height and length of the order of 5 m and 1 km, respectively. The sand wave is dynamically active and shows migration rates of the order of a few metres per year. A numerical morphodynamic model (DELFT3D model) has been used to simulate the morphological behaviour of the sand wave in the North Sea. This model approach is based on the numerical solution of the three-dimensional shallow water equations in combination with a surface wave propagation model (wind waves) and the advection–diffusion equation for the sediment particles with online bed updating after each time step. The model results show that the sand wave grows in the case of dominant bed-load transport (weak tidal currents; relatively coarse sediment; small roughness height; low waves) and that the sand wave decays in the case of dominant suspended transport (strong currents, relatively fine sediment, large roughness height; storm waves).     

河口海岸三维水流数值模型中几种垂向坐标模式研究述评

回顾了近年来国内外河口、近岸海域三维斜压水流数值模式研究的进展,着重讨论了不同垂向坐标下三维水流模式的发展状况以及存在的问题。地形拟合坐标(σ坐标)模式可以很好地拟合床面地形和自由面,已在物理海洋学中被广泛使用。但在地形变化剧烈,尤其在密度层结效应明显的海域,σ坐标模式中的水平压强梯度力误差会引起伪密度流。寻求高精度的数值模式以及更加有效的拟合坐标变换将是值得努力的方向。     

济阳坳陷博兴洼陷西部沙三段层序地层

选取以基准面为参照面的高分辨率层序地层学的理论与分析技术,对博兴洼陷西部沙三段开展层序地层分析工作。在博兴洼陷沙三段识别出5个层序界面和4个较大规模的洪泛面,由此将研究层段划分为4个长期基准面旋回(相当于3级层序),并通过长期旋回内部次级转换面的识别,细分出8个中期旋回(大致相当于4级层序)。通过对比建立了研究区的高分辨率层序地层格架,并分析了各层序的地层发育特征。以层序格架为基础,探讨了研究区各层序的沉积演化特征,建立了辫状三角洲—浊积扇层序发育模式,认为研究区辫状三角洲和浊积扇均具有加积作用特点;斜坡区为辫状三角洲发育区,而洼陷区为浊积扇发育区;中期基准面旋回下降期辫状三角洲发育,上升期浊积扇发育;浊积扇体的发育规模与湖泛规模相关。综合分析认为,浊积扇是形成岩性圈闭的主要储集砂体类型,其发育的有利层位是MSC8、MSC7、MSC6、MSC5旋回的上升半旋回,岩性圈闭发育的有利区是博兴南部斜坡坡折带之下的洼陷区。     

Discussion: A review on the behaviour of helical piles as a potential offshore foundation system

Abstract

Helical piles have emerged as an attractive foundation system for offshore applications with renewed interest from the offshore community. Significant research gap currently exists in transferring this technology offshore and this paper discusses how existing and emerging knowledge can be successfully used to bridge some of the gaps. We focus on the Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian (CEL) large deformation finite element (LDFE) modelling technique that is commercially available and can be used to model the three-dimensional installation process with consideration of strain rate and softening effects in soft offshore clays. A helical pile of L?=?7.5?m long is modelled with one or two large-diameter helices (D?=?2?m) attached to a central shaft of d?=?0.5?m in diameter.The net effect of strain rate and softening is to increase the installation torque. The measured torque is within the range of 200–400?kN.m for the offshore clay and the pile geometry studied. Additional helices increase the uplift force but to a lesser degree than that of the measured torque. Remoulding induced strength reduction is found to be within the range of 25–33% of the intact clay strength. Issues of extracting and reusing offshore helical pile foundations are discussed.